The most exciting time for a Browns fan is the times when no ball is being played. We call the off season “The Valley of Hope”. It’s the only time of year where we read like winners. (Browns are gonna get Johnny Football, Mingo, McCoy, yadda yadda yadda) Then we leave the VoH, and land in the “Factory of Sadness”, where we talk about how great next year will be, during the first game of the season.

It’s amazing how much more tolerable small football makes the offseason. I’m a season ticket-holder for a local arena team in a tiny little league of about six or eight teams, depending on who folded last year. It only cost me about $75 per season, and it’s not the atmosphere of an NFL game, but it’s a blast to go to, and because it’s so small and local, the players are down-to-earth and love interacting with the fans. It’s a completely different feel from an NFL team, but it’s still football, and it’s still a really cool feeling.